England's World Cup last-16 game against Mexico will kick off as scheduled at 6pm local time on Sunday (1am on Monday, UK time) after further discussions, according to reports. The start of the clash at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City had been subject to speculation that it could be moved due to possible storm conditions.
Speculation Over Kick-Off Time Change
Earlier reports suggested that talks were underway between FIFA and the two teams about moving the game forward because of potential storms in Mexico's capital. Multiple outlets indicated that an earlier kick-off time of 12pm in Mexico (7pm on Sunday in the UK) was being considered.
The UK government had already announced that pubs would be allowed to stay open for the match, which was originally scheduled for 1am UK time. However, the Football Association had not received confirmation of any change, despite the kick-off being less than 48 hours away, according to the Press Association.
Confirmation of Original Schedule
Following further discussions, it has been confirmed that the match will proceed at its original time. This decision brings relief to fans and businesses that had prepared for the late-night kick-off. The storm threat, while still present, did not warrant a schedule change according to the latest assessments.
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